Number
1049 - 1st August 2020
Jonathan
Goodwin. Welsh escapologist and daredevil on
America's Got Talent 2020 - no words needed! See
YouTube.
1.8.20
Paul
Zerdin, ventriloquist, comedian, and winner of America's Got Talent 2015
launches his first six-part television series Sponge Weekly this Friday,
7th August. Set for broadcast exclusively on Paul Zerdin's
YouTube channel each Friday at 5pm, Sponge Weekly is a fast-paced,
comedy sketch show that will entertain the whole family.
Along with those much-loved spongy characters Sam, Albert and Baby who
have been messing with Paul throughout his career Sponge Weekly will
include some hilarious hidden 'Street Vent' camera pranks, that will see
Paul with some very confused members of the public ("is that sandwich
speaking to me").
Sponge Weekly also stars Paul's real-life nephew, 9-year-old Sammy,
making his screen debut. Sammy's chats with the puppets are reminiscent
of those classic Sesame Street moments. Written and filmed during the
end of lockdown meant the show was shot without a studio audience and
with a socially distancing production crew. Sponge Weekly is introduced
by the accident-prone continuity announce Alasdair Rimmer ("Oh, is it
me?).
The launch of Sponge Weekly on
YouTube coincides with Paul Zerdin's forthcoming shows at Butlins
where he will be appearing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout the
summer (outside) from Friday 23rd July through Sunday 27th September, at
the Butlins' Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness holiday resorts. Sponge
Weekly - a comedy show for the whole family. "We could all do with a bit of a laugh at
the moment couldn't we!" says Paul. And if you would like a sneak
preview, here it is:
YouTube.
1.8.20
Kane
& Abel's Split Egg show - live on Brighton Beach! Kane & Abel will
be performing a run of shows on Brighton Beach, as part of The Warren's
Outdoor Season. The show will replace their planned Brighton Fringe
performances and take place on a purpose-built stage on the beach with
seating arranged to adhere to social distancing measures. The twin
tricksters perform magic and comedy, inspired by clichés surrounding
twins. Every question the identical twin brothers have been asked;
whether they are harmless, hurtful or just hilarious have been developed
into the narrative of this fun-filled and "seriously impressive" (BBC
Radio Bristol) show.
The shows will take place from Thursday 20th August to Sunday 23rd
August, and September 5th & 6th. All shows will start at 1pm, with the
exception of the 23rd August show, which will start at 11.30am. "Both shine individually as magicians and comedians"
★★★★ (Broadway Baby)
"Comedic, contemporary and charismatic"
★★★★★ (Channel 44, Adelaide). See
www.otherplaceticketing.co.uk for more info.
1.8.20
Piff
the Magic Dragon Live from Las Vegas - Virtual Show tonight at 7pm!
As there's no Edinburgh Fringe this year Piff the Magic Dragon is
performing a virtual show for the UK #PiffPack this Saturday at 7pm
(BST). Expect frequent use of the words such as: biscuit, lift,
pavement, car park and chips, and lots of complaints about the weather!
Tickets:
www.passportshows.com. They are also down to the last four in a TBS
show 'Tournament of Laughs'. They've had David Copperfield and Penn
Jillette make appearances, and if they make it to the finals we'll have
Lance Burton too! You can watch the first four videos here:
YouTube.
1.8.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This
week Eugene Burger in a guest appearance on John Fisher's 'The Best of
Magic' from September 20th 1989. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here. 1.8.20
British
Ring to hold another 'Nonvention' - 5th & 6th September. From the
organisers: Following the success of the Nonvention held over the late
May Bank Holiday weekend, The British Ring is to hold another one on 5
and 6 September 2020. These dates are to coincide with the original
Greenock convention which had to be cancelled due to the covid 19
issues. It is free to all British Ring Members via the members’ area of
the website. If you are not a member, there is still time to join so you
do not miss the exciting programme the organisers are putting together.
Details on
www.britishring.org.uk. Geoffrey Newton Advertising Manager.
1.8.20
Fay
Presto, Danny Buckler, 'Harry the Piano' and Neil Kelso added to An
Evening of Magic with Ben Hart - Royal Victoria Patriotic Building,
London, 7th & 8th August. Acting as your magical host, renowned magician
Ben Hart will display some of his most exciting, baffling, and
socially-distanced miracles, accompanied by special guest magicians in
the informal surroundings of the New Normal Festival. A rare chance to
catch world class magic stripped back to its purest conditions, outdoors
and right under your noses. The shows will take place outside, in the
walled courtyard of the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Wandsworth,
London on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August 2020 at 8pm. Tickets
£20.00. More info:
www.newnormalfest.co.uk.
Ben Hart on Loose Ends: Nikki Bedi and Christopher Eccleston are joined
by Jade Anouka, Ben Hart, Sindhu Vee and Raphael Rowe for an eclectic
mix of conversation, music and comedy. Saturday BBC Radio 4 at 6.15pm
www.bbc.co.uk.
1.8.20
The
second issue of Richard Wiseman's Hocus Pocus comic is out now! This
issue delves into the strange world of spirit communication! Join
Houdini’s chief investigator, Rose Mackenberg, as she uncovers the
secrets of the seance room. Travel through time to discover the trickery
used by Fox sisters and the Davenport brothers to fool the world.
Uncover the scientists and scoundrels behind the strange history of the
Ouija Board. Limited edition, beautifully illustrated and printed in
full colour on heavy card stock. Praise for Issue One included: "'An
utterly magical read ... one of the most inventive and gorgeous comics
we have read this year." Pipedream Comics. Illustrated by Jordan
Collver, written by Rik Worth and coloured by Owen Watts. Available from
PropDog:
www.propdog.co.uk.
1.8.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. On Monday I added a collection of 17
television commercials that featured magic in some way, with either a
magician's hands, an actual magician, or an actor playing the part of a
magician in them. Ranging from the 80s, 90s and 00s, there
are some fun clips here, including some excellent parodies (Copperfield
and a mystic!). I've been
able to credit most of the performers (on the MagicWeek YouTube page) but if
anyone can help with whose hands were used for the Financial Times ad.
(really nice) please let me know. See
YouTube.
1.8.20
Guest
Spots at 'Magic & Mind-Reading' at Le Meridien, London. Producer and
performer Tony Middleton writes: Following the success of my productions
'The Magic Hour' and 'Sleight of Hand on the Strand', I am creating a
new show called 'Magic & Mind-Reading' at the five star Le Meridien, in
Piccadilly, London. I will be considering guest spots for this show, and
would welcome applications from any professional magician who feels they
would be the right fit for the production. The audience will be taken on
a fun whistle-stop journey through the Golden Age of Magic. The
narrative will be peppered with a variety of demonstrations of magic,
mind-reading, and other impossible feats. If you think your act would be
right for this show, I would be interested to hear from you.
Performances will be scheduled for Saturday nights, and the production
intends to open in September. To apply, email your CV/website details,
along with relevant video footage to
magichourlondon@gmail.com
with the subject 'Magic & Mind-Reading'.
1.8.20
Magic
Papers, Conjuring Ephemera 1890-1960. Magic papers is a dive into
the collection of Philip David Treece
www.collectingmagic.co.uk and contains printed matter made for the
magic community, packed with flamboyant custom lettering, sensational
language and mystifying illustrations. Where other books on the subject
have focused on popular magic posters and playbills, Magic Papers looks
at more ephemeral material, mostly made by magicians for magicians. 144
pages + 16 page insert. Soft cover with flaps. 245mm x 340mm. Limited to
800 copies. For more information and to pre-order visit
www.centrecentre.co.uk/products/magic-papers.
1.8.20
Staging
a live-streamed theatre show in extraordinary times: Oliver Tabor's
guest post on Oliver Meech's Wide Open Magic blog. Oliver Tabor
recently staged a rare event: a live-streamed magic show from a theatre.
For a full insight into what it takes to put on a full evening magic
show in these strange times, from social distancing to technical
hurdles, read his article on Oliver Meech's Wide Open Magic blog:
www.wideopenmagic.com.
1.8.20
Loosley
Speaking with Dave Loosley - this week: Matt Johnson. Join magician Dave Loosley as he chats with
some of the world's best magicians. Always laid-back and fun. Available
every Friday via your favourite listening platform including
Apple Podcasts and
Spotify.
1.8.20
Skip
'n' Snip by Colin Daines - a Practical magic Exclusive, now with DVD.
How many of your tricks actually make the people go "Wow!"? Well, if you
haven’t added this trick to your repertoire, perhaps you should, because
it really does have the wow factor! Time and again we have received
praise for this trick from satisfied customers because the effect is
staggering: a skipping rope is cleanly cut in two and just as cleanly
restored. You even see the knots fly off! All we can say is, if you saw
this demonstrated, you would immediately buy it. Please take our word
for it, that this is one of the most magical effects in our on line
catalogue. What is more, it’s easy to perform and you are left entirely
clean at the end of the routine. A complete sell-out on the first day
when we lectured in the U.S. Explanatory DVD now included! Comes
complete with 10 meters of standard white rope. See
www.practical-magic.com.
1.8.20
The
August E-Video Newsletter. Mark Leveridge is pleased to announce
that the August edition of his monthly online video programme is ready
for you to watch and enjoy. It features: The Teach In – a
versatile gimmick and a routine using it is revealed. Pro Peeks –
for August a routine extracted from a live Lecture Room presentation is
offered. Keeping Control Unplugged – part 2 starts a look at how
to control performance nerves based on info from the Keeping Control
e-book. Web Offers – Mark's popular Ring and String Deluxe plus a
version of the Ambitious Card are included in this month’s offers. 60
Seconds To Success – tips on how to judge when to leave a close up
group when table hopping or strolling. The Review Corner – the
children’s prop AmazeWands is discussed this time. To watch the 37
minute online presentation you simply need to sign up for Mark's free
E-Club Lite. This will ensure that you receive the latest monthly email
newsletter featuring much to interest you and which also contains the
link to the full E-Video Newsletter itself. For more information go to
www.markleveridge.co.uk.
1.8.20
Magicseen
Lite Issue 8. Magicseen is pleased to announce the publication of
the latest free digital version of their bi-monthly magic magazine. The
contents of Lite #8 have been extracted from the full July version, and
include the following: Matthew Wright - the full article on our cover
star who explains the turmoil for his magic venue in Spain caused by
COVID-19 and how he has tried to cope with it. We also include an
article on what the future of magic may look like post the pandemic,
what may change, what may stay the same. If comedy is your thing, we
invite you to enjoy The Convention, and if you fancy learning some
magic, then the Masterclass has a variation on Paul Curry's Out Of This
World. Add to this, In The Phonebox with actress Madison Thompson and a
selection of the product reviews to save you wasting your money! To
download your free copy go to
www.magicseen.co.uk.
1.8.20
Merlins
of Wakefield's latest 20 page Magical Preview is now available. The
August/September edition can be sent to you as a printed copy. Simply
email your postal address to
merlins@btconnect.com. Or for a PDF version just email and ask! This
will be the last Preview we are sending out, as from October 20th will
be launching our own 'Merlins Mail'. This will be issued quarterly and
as well as the latest effects and special offers there will be free
effects, articles, puzzles and news. We are excited to be launching
this, and everyone who previously received the 'Preview' will still get
a free copy of 'Merlins Mail' in October! We are always on the look out
for quality used magic, so if you have something you no longer need,
contact us at
merlins@btconnect.com. Here are some fantastic used or like new
bargains:
Lucky Chair and Table by Tora Magic -
Flying Mask Deluxe by Brevis Magic -
Vanishing CD Player by Tora Magic -
Glassy Briefcase by Tora Magic.
1.8.20
Just
released - The Baseball Shuffle by Chris Wardle. The performer
displays 10 cards, Ace through to Ten, in Clubs. They are dropped into a
baseball cap (or an outside jacket pocket) and shaken about. The cards
are removed and shown completely mixed, out of order, some face up and
some face down. They are replaced and shaken again, while the spectators
think 'order'. Now the cards are removed and alternate, face up and face
down, as odd and even values! After a final 'baseball shuffle' shake up,
they come out all face up and in numerical order! 'The Baseball Shuffle'
is a fun, visual, completely self-working card effect which can be
performed casually (in a baseball cap) or using an outside jacket pocket
for a more formal presentation. This can be performed in person or
online, as no volunteer assistance required. Entirely self-contained and
no reset. A magical, modern, performance piece. For more info and to
watch a video performance visit
www.alakazam.co.uk.
1.8.20
The
Trevor Dawson Collection of Magic Books. To be offered by Lyon &
Turnbull Auctioneers on October 1st in Edinburgh and online. On October
1st 2020, Lyon & Turnbull will be proud to present the Trevor Dawson
Collection of Magic Books. For over forty years, Trevor Dawson was a
member of The Magic Circle and the International Brotherhood of
Magicians and was a very keen and diversified collector of books related
to Magic, Conjuring, Card Tricks, Deception, Mesmerism and related
fields. Make a note of the date now. More details nearer the time. See
www.lyonandturnbull.com.
1.8.20
The Carbonaro Effect, the hidden-camera magic series with illusionist-cum-prankster Michael Carbonaro, is being repeated on 4Music at the moment. See TV Magic for details. 1.8.20
"Surprise! Ryan Tricks performs
mind-blowing mentalism with Alesha Dixon! America's Got Talent 2020"
YouTube •
"Woah! Mentalist Max Major reads Simon Cowell's mind! America's Got
Talent 2020"
YouTube • "Mentalist Max Major shocks the judges from hundreds of
miles away! America's Got Talent 2020"
YouTube • "Magician consumed by cards! Winston performs incredible
card tricks. America's Got Talent 2020"
YouTube • "'AGT' Judge Cuts: Magician Stuns Simon Cowell With 'Most
Astonishing' Trick He's Ever Seen"
Click Here • "Comedy magician Robbie James casts spell to scoop
entertainer of the year title"
Click Here • "Tracy Newman on The Tonight Show starring Johnny
Carson from 1974"
YouTube • "The Sly Psychology Behind Magicians' Card Tricks"
Click Here • "Study: Magicians’ priming techniques are effective at
influencing choice"
Click Here • "'Virtual' Magic Show Fundraiser set to benefit
Hamilton area YMCA"
Click Here • "Animal advocates call tiger tent show on the Las Vegas
Strip a 'tale of big money, disregard for local laws'"
Click Here • "Halifax magician uses sleight of hand to earn way into
Vegas-based show"
Click Here • That's it for another week. Many thnaks to everyone who
sent in news this week. See you next week, Duncan.
1.8.20